Coal-cabinet.



W. B. ARMSTRONG.

COAL CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED MAYIO. 1916.

1,294,590., Patented May1,1917.

I 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

JHH HIH .1 6/672201" W314 rmi'rarg.

wim ar w. B. ARMSTRONG.

COAL CABINET. APPLI CATIQN FILD. MAY 10, I916.

1917. 2 suasrs-susn 2.

Patented May 1 m; umwm Pan-us co. PNOm-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D, cv

WILLIAM B. ARMSTRONG, OF SIGOUBNEY, IOWA,

COAL-CABINET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Application filed May 1'0, 1916. Serial No. 96,706.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM B. ARM- STRONG, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Sigourney, in the county of Keokuk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coal-Cabinets, of which the lollowing is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a coal cabinet and has for its principal object the production of a device in which coal may be placed for being retained in a definite place for use, this cabinet being mounted so as to be readily moved from place to place as desired.

Another object of this invention is the production of a coal cabinet wherein the slanting bottom extends toward the portion of the cabinet from which the coal is to be removed so that by means of a shovel the coal may be readily removed as desired.

Another object of this invention is the production of a coal cabinet wherein'simple and effici'ent closure means has been provided so as to positively close the cabinet when it is not desired to remove coal therefrom, although when so desired the cover or lid thereofmay be moved so'as to permit free access to the interior of the cabinet.

With these and other objects in view this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter'fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the coal cabinet as constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the rear end of the coal cabinet.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the coal cabinet.

Fig. 1 is a section taken on the l1ne H of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is avertical section through a slightly modified form of "coal cabinet,

wherein a dillerently constructed top is provided.

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of the device as disclosed in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7'7 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of a portion of the cover as disclosed in Fig. 6.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen that this coal cabinet comprises an elongated structure wherein the body 1 slants throughout its entire length downwardly from its forward end toward the rear semicircular "back 2 thereof. The parallel sides 3 extend upwardly in spaced relation from the bottom 1 so as to form a hollow body in which coal may be positioned.

The stand for'this-cabine't comprises the corner standards d which are secured by means of the rivets 5 to the sides '3 of the cabinet, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 8. The corner standards 4-up0n one side of the cabinet are connected by means of the inverted Y-shape'd web 6 having its stem 7 also secured "to the side of the cabinet by means of the rivets 5. The corner standards 4 adjacent each end of the cabinet, however, are connected by the cross webs 8 so that after the standards 4 are connected by means of the inverted Y-shaped web 6 and cross- Web 8, a very rigid substantially one piece structure is provided for supporting the cabinet. Itwill be noted, also that a bar 9 extends so as to connect the stems 7 of the inverted Y-shaped web 6, and this bar may be placed upon the bottom 1 of the coal cabinet for supporting thiscoal cabinet intermediate its ends and upon the bottom thereof. Thus, it will be seen that since the standards 4 and the stems 7 extend in vertical planes the sides 3 of the cabinet will be eiliciently braced and thus held from wabbling due to the Weight of the coal carried within the cabinet, while the positioning of the bar 9 upon the bottom 1 intermediate its ends will hold the bottom of the cabinet from sagging intermediate its ends.

The sides 3 have their upper portions bent outwardly to provide the horizontally 'ex- 7 tendingstrips 10 which extend in opposite directions with respect to each other. The back 2 of the cabinet has its upper end rolled to provide the sleeve 11 upon which there is carried the brace rod 12, which extends from this sleeve and also through the sides 8 of the cabinet so as to be carried by the upper ends of the rear corner standards 4. It will be seen, however, that the sleeve 11 is formed at a distance from the tracks 10 so as not to interfere with the use of these tracks. It will further be noted that the rear ends of these tracks 10 extend for a considerable distance beyond the sleeve 11 and the back 2 of the cabinet, although they are eliiciently braced by means of the upwardly extending braces 13. These braces 13 have their lower ends riveted as shown at 14 to the back 2 of the cabinet, while the upper ends of these braces 13 are bent inwardly to provide the lips 15 which are in turn riveted as at 16 to the rear ends of the tracks 10.

The sliding cover 17 is of a one-piece construction and is elongated so as to normally extend across the entire upper portion of the coal cabinet, as shown in Fig. 3. This cover 17 has its side edges bent downwardly and inwardly to provide the U-shaped guides 18 which fit over the tracks 10 and the sides 3 of the cabinet. Thus, it will be seen that although the cover 17 will be held from side displacement upon the cabinet it may freely move by sliding upon the tracks 10 as desired. For facilitating the accomplishment of this action the cover 17 is provided with an opening 19 adjacent its forward end so that the operator by extending his hand through the opening 19 may grip the cover for sliding the same in either direction.

When this coal cabinet is in use the cover 17 may be gripped as above described and pulled toward the forward end of the cabinet, thus opening the rear end thereof. The desired amount of coal may then be placed within the cabinet and the cover may be returned by sliding upon the tracks 10 to its normal position. The cabinet may then be moved to any point desired, such for instance as adjacent a stove or range, inasmuch as the lower ends of the corner standards 1 are provided with casters 20. When moved to a point adjacent the stove or range the forward end of the cabinet is brought into a position adjacent the stove or range. When it is de sired to place coal within the stove or range the cover may be moved upon the tracks so as to pass beyond the rear ends .2 of the cabinet, thus opening the forward end thereof. Inasmuch as the back 2 extends up wardly it is intended that it will be of such a height as to be adjacent the top of the stove or range. The operator may then take a shovel and by passing the shovel along the inclined bottom 1 the shovel may be passed under the coal carried within the coal cabinet so as to be readily filled. Of course, it is obvious that as soon as the desired amount of coal has been removed from the cabinet the cover 17 may be returned to its normal position for closing the upper portion thereof. It is further obvious that since the cover 17 is fiat throughout its entire length it will serve as a table, and even if it is carrying such articles as books, or the like, it may be operated without removing these articles, since it will merely slide along the tracks and will not in any way disengage the article positioned thereon.

It will be seen by referring to Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive that the cabinet as disclosed is provided with a slanting bottom 1 having an upwardly curved rear end 2, although the sides 3 extending vertically from the bottom 1 terminate evenly at their upper edges, as shown in Fig. 7. The usual supporting frame as used in the preferred form of this invention comprising the standards 1, the Y- shaped web 6 and cross-web 8 is employed.

The cover of this form of the invention, however, comprises the sections 21 and 22. The section 21 has upwardly extending ears 23 having openings 21 formed therein and it will be seen that these ears 23 are formed beyond the planes of the side edges of the section 21, as shown clearly in Fig. 8.

The section 22, however, has vertical cars 25 with openings 26 therein, and these ears 25 are struck upwardly within the planes of the side edges of the section 21, so that when the two sections are in their correct positions the ears 25 will be positioned between the ears 23 of the section 21. The pivot members or rivets 27 are passed through the openings 24 and 26, which are then adapted to register so as to pivotally retain these two sections 21 and 22 in engagement with each other. The outer ends of the sections 21 and 22 are bent downwardly and then upwardly to provide the overhanging and substantially U-shaped' gripping flanges 28. The stems 7 of the inverted U-shaped webs extend above the upper portions of the sides 3 as shown most clearly in Fig. 7 so as to per mit the rivets 27 to be pivotally engaged by the two sections 21 and 22 by passing through these stems 7 for holding the two sections against accidental displacement from the side portions of the cabinet under any conditions whatever. It will also be noted that when the two sections are in their normal positions and the cabinet is closed the gripping flanges 28 fitting over the forward end of the bottom 1 and the upper end of the back 2' will assist in retaining the cover against longitudinal displacement, thus relieving this strain from the rivets 27 and cars 23 and 25. When it is desired to fold this cabinet either of the sections 21 or 22 may be drawn upwardly and over on to the remaining section, although it is preferably desired to draw the section 22 over upon the top of the section 21, thus opening the rear end of the cabinet. After the coal has been positioned within the cabinet the section 22 may be returned to its normal position. The cabinet may then be moved to the position for use adjacent the stove or range, as is the case with the preferred form of the cabinet, and then by swinging the section 21 of the cover over on to the top of the section 22 access may be had to the interior of the cabinet. Merely by passing the shovel down along the slantmoved from the cabinet and since this slanting bottom converges in the upwardly curved back it will be seen that by passing the shovel down to the rear portions of the cabinet every particle of coal may be removed therefrom.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, said body having a slanting bottom, vertical sides extending from said bottom, said sides terminating in horizontally extending outwardly bent tracks, a back converging into said bottom, a cover positioned upon the upper portion of said sides, said cover having bent side edges, thereby forming U-shaped guides, said U-shaped guides fitting upon said tracks, whereby said cover may slide upon and be guided by said tracks for permitting access to the interior of said body or for closing the entrance thereof, said cover being adapted to slide in either direction so as to permit access to either end of said body.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, said body having a bottom slanting downwardly from its forward end and terminating in an upwardly curved back, said back terminating in a rolled sleeve, sides extending from said bot tom and having overhanging tracks formed upon their upper edges and in a plane above said sleeve, said tracks extending beyond said sleeve, braces connected to said tracks for reinforcing the same, a cover having U-shaped guides formed upon its side edges, whereby said cover may be moved for allowing access to either end of said body, and a brace rod passing through said sleeve for reinforcing said sides.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, said body having a bottom slanting downwardly from its forward end and terminating in an upwardly curved back, said back terminating in a rolled sleeve, sides extending from said bottom and having overhanging tracks formed upon their upper edges and in a plane above said sleeve, said tracks extending beyond said sleeve, braces connected to said tracks for reinforcing the same, a cover having U-shaped guides formed upon its side edges, said guides slidably mounted upon said tracks, whereby said cover may be moved for allowing access to the ends of said body, a brace rod passing through said sleeve for reinforcing the same, a stand secured to said body for supporting the same in its correct position, a rod carried by said stand, and said first-mentioned rod connected to said stand, whereby said stand and said rods will hold said body from falling or sagging when in use.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, parallel tracks carri'e'd upon said body, a cover positioned upon said body, U-shaped guides formed upon the side edges of said cover, said guides fitting upon said tracks, whereby said cover may slide upon and be guided by said tracks.

. 5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, parallel tracks carried upon said body and projecting beyond the ends thereof, a cover positioned upon said body, U-shaped guides formed upon the side edges of said cover, said guides fitting upon said tracks, whereby said cover will be movably held upon said body.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, parallel tracks carried upon said body and projecting beyond the ends thereof, means for bracing the projecting ends of said tracks, a cover positioned upon said body, U-shaped guides formed upon the side edges of said cover, said guides fitting upon said tracks, whereby said cover will be movably held upon said body.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, parallel tracks carried upon said body and projecting beyond the ends thereof, braces riveted upon said body, lips formed upon the upper ends of said braces, said lips being fixedly secured to the projecting ends of said tracks for reinforcing the same, a cover positioned upon said body, U-shaped guides formed upon the side edges of said cover, said guides fitting upon said tracks, whereby said cover will be movably held upon said body.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, a pair of standards positioned upon each side of said body, an inverted Y-shaped web formed upon the standards upon each side of said body, the upper ends of said webs being fixedly mounted upon said body, a brace rod connected to the central portions of each web, said rod fitting upon the bottom of said body for holding said body from sagging at its central portion, cross webs formed upon the standards at each end of said body for bracing said standards.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, a pair of standards positioned upon each side of said body, an inverted Y-shaped web formed upon the standards upon each side of said body, the upper ends of said webs being fixedly mounted upon said body, whereby said standards will be braced and said body will be supported intermediate its ends.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, a pair of standards positioned upon each side of said body, an inverted Y-shaped web formed upon the standards upon each side of said body, the upper ends of said webs being fixedly mounted upon said body, and means carried by said webs and bearing upon the bottom of said body intermediate its ends, whereby said webs and means will brace said body intermediate its ends.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, a pair of standards positioned upon each side of said body, an inverted Y-shaped web formed upon the standards upon each side of said body, the

upper end of said webs being fixedly mounted upon said body, and a brace rod connected to the central portion of each web, said rod fitting upon the bottom of said body for holding said body from sagging at its central portion.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, a pair of standards positioned upon each side of said body, an inverted Y-shaped web formed upon the standards upon each side of said body, the upper ends of said webs being fixedly mounted upon said body, a brace rod connected to the central portion of each web, said rod fitting upon the bottom of said body for holding said body from sagging at its central portion, and means for bracing said standards at each end of said body.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, a pair of standards positioned upon each side of said body, an inverted Y-shaped web formed upon the standards upon each side of said body, the upper ends of said webs being fixedly mounted upon said body, a brace rod connected to the center portion of each Web, said rod fitting upon the bottom of said body for holding said body from sagging at its central portion, and webs formed upon the standards at each end of said body for bracing said standards.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a body, a pair of standards positioned upon each side of said body, an inverted Y-shaped web formed upon the standards upon each side of said body, the

upper ends of said webs being fixedly mounted upon said body, a brace rod connected to the center portion of each Web, said rod fitting upon the bottom of said body for holding said body from sagging at its central portion, and webs formed upon the standards at each end of said body for bracing said standards, and a cover movably carried upon said body.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

WILLIAM B. ARMSTRONG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

